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  #1  
Old 06-08-2005, 06:02 PM
123 123 is offline
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possible 300d purchase..

hi, so i got to the 6 month mark of owning a car and am getting itchey feet. My current driver is a 2.5 190d and i found for sale a good looking 300d 3.0 litre 6 cylinder with low milage (compared with mine) it has done 148,000miles. the car is on ebay and im not going to have a chance to test it, but how do these 6 cylinder engines compare with my 5 cylinder in terms of reliability and fuel consumption? i imagine they are just as reliable, just wondered if there were any issues? also, he said upon cold start up it starts instantly, but it runs bumpy for a couple seconds then its ok. he said he though it was the "high idle control" i dont think he has a clue about diesels, i think its probably just a duff glow plug- what do you think? thanks alot guys!!!

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Old 06-08-2005, 06:16 PM
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Dieseldiehard
 
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Location: Bay Area No Calif.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 123
1) the car is on ebay and im not going to have a chance to test it, but how do these 6 cylinder engines compare with my 5 cylinder in terms of reliability and fuel consumption?

2) i imagine they are just as reliable, just wondered if there were any issues? also, he said upon cold start up it starts instantly, but it runs bumpy for a couple seconds then its ok. he said he though it was the "high idle control" i dont think he has a clue about diesels, i think its probably just a duff glow plug- what do you think? thanks alot guys!!!
1) eBay?! WATCH OUT! Enough said. If you can't see it touch it and smell it don't pay very much for it! Posters here generally leave the eBay link or item number so we can give some look-see and comment afterwards. Some of us here are very keen and notice things no one else would ever think to look for.

2) the OM603 engine is a real strong runner but has its share of quirks, not to mention the #14 head. Use the search tool for #14 head. You will find it is not a nice story! The 603 uses less fuel than the 5-cyl diesels do however
What year is the 6-cyl engine in? That makes a huge difference, if its an '87 well, there are a few things to worry about.
If the engine in that car still has its original #14 head and/or the trap oxidizer and/or the original vacuum pump all those items need to be worried about, they can lead to engine failure and many kilobucks of repairs. Try asking the seller if he can find the answers to those questions (if not then he is not a very knowledgeable seller and may be trying to pull on over or just simply is a Used Car Seller sorta guy
OTOH, if you get a good one, the '87 turbo diesels will make you smile as you blast off down the highway and around the bend! (I oughta know, I found a good one, even with the #14 head I am happy! knock on wood!)
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'95 E320 Wagon my favorite road car. '99 E300D wolf in sheeps body, '87 300D Sportline suspension, '79 300TD w/ 617.952 engine at 367,750 and counting!
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Old 06-08-2005, 06:22 PM
123 123 is offline
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thanks from your response.. i am in the uk so its a 3.0 non turbo. the year is 1987 and i have heard the stories of the #14 head being an issue if overheated, do the euro and usa engines both have the #14? if it is, would that be enough reason to put you off buying altogether or would you just drive with more caution towards the engine temp with it? here is the link by the way
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4554778688&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1
thanks
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  #4  
Old 06-08-2005, 06:47 PM
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You have the advantage with this listing by purchasing the vehicle from the actual owner of the vehicle. This fellow is not a dealer and this puts you way ahead of the curve with regard to integrity. Notice that he has a perfect feedback rating.

With regard to the engine, as Reid mentioned, the 603 consumes less fuel and runs smoother and quieter than the five cylinder engines. It will probably have the #14 head and there is some concern about this head. If the engine was ever overheated in its lifetime, there may be a risk of a crack propogating in the head. Unfortunately you cannot know this and it is a bit of a roll of the dice. I have one, myself, and so far, no issues with it.

It looks like the vehicle was maintained quite well from the photos provided.

However, make sure that you do not pay anywhere near retail, because ALL e-bay purchases are somewhat risky. You have no idea of the condition of many components on the vehicle, including the suspension.
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  #5  
Old 06-08-2005, 07:15 PM
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Wow! I like the car, especially because I just bought a set of the exact same wheels to go on mine Now I can see what it will look like even though mine is smoke silver I found a mint set of early CLK320 wheels for $250. I find these to be interesting wheels, they are sort of a cross between the old Bundt wheels and new alloys. Mine were forged in 1999. Sometime in 2000 MB switched to cast wheels in this design (forged is better).

We have the curse of the automatic climate controls here. Partially vacuum operated and partially electronic, they trend to give problems as they age. And it can cost "a bloody fortune" to fix A/C in the W124's. It appears that is an option in the UK at least on that car so you don't have that worry.

Its a good thing the owner didn't tow anything large with that car because they tend to run hot under load. When driving along they generally don't tend to overheat, its on long up hill inclines that the tem gauge starts climbing. Keeping the radiator under pressure is mandatory if you want to prevent warping the head.
And as to the ilde speed, its controlled electronically so that might be a little issue unfortunately I haven't read up on it yet, nor have I heard of a problem with one yet so I can't tell you what is involved. I know where the adjustment knob/switch is located though, its a lot better system IMHO than the mechanical one in the earlier diesel injection pumps that tend to "hunt" after they get old. I guess the older system is more reliable though now that I think about it, no electronic modules to go T.U.

It took me a few months to get around to fixing the ABS in mine, that was a new learning curve. Just keep the sensors clean and use Ceramic pads and you shouldn't have any brake problems, they work extremely well.
The seller didn't say anything about rear suspension arms, they aren't terribly expensive and are a little work to replace. When worn they allow the car to drift around on bumps and turns.
Keep us up to date on the potential new car, if you don't go for this one there might be another just coming along for sale!

1971 220 (gas) 4-spd manual 106441
1979 300TD w/ ’85 turbo engine 298446
1983 300D 244626
1985 300TD 226868
1987 300D 262300
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'95 E320 Wagon my favorite road car. '99 E300D wolf in sheeps body, '87 300D Sportline suspension, '79 300TD w/ 617.952 engine at 367,750 and counting!
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  #6  
Old 06-08-2005, 07:21 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dieseldiehard

Its a good thing the owner didn't tow anything large with that car because they tend to run hot under load. When driving along they generally don't tend to overheat, its on long up hill inclines that the tem gauge starts climbing. Keeping the radiator under pressure is mandatory if you want to prevent warping the head.
Reid, he probably won't have any issues with temperatures because it has no turbo and no a/c.
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Old 06-08-2005, 08:01 PM
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Right on that, Brian, and not too many long inclines like we have here (thinking of the Grapevine)!
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'95 E320 Wagon my favorite road car. '99 E300D wolf in sheeps body, '87 300D Sportline suspension, '79 300TD w/ 617.952 engine at 367,750 and counting!
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Old 06-09-2005, 08:18 AM
123 123 is offline
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thanks for the comments guys! the auction ends on sunday night and it seems there are a few interested parties. i will bid for it aslong as the price doesnt get too high and i'll let y'all know!!
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Old 06-09-2005, 08:38 AM
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Plan on the worst and bid what you are willing to part with if it is......if you expect a gem....then pay for a PPI before you bid...which is too late for this one...you will be out about $100 but is that worse than spending $9,000 or more on a turd?
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Old 06-12-2005, 06:21 PM
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well guys, for better or for worse i won the car!!! im going to pick it up tuesday and i will report back with pics and comments from the drive home (aprox. 100 miles- little test)
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  #11  
Old 06-12-2005, 07:58 PM
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$2800. is a damn good price, provided it checks out "reasonably" well.

Good luck with it.

Let us know how you make out.

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